[News] Twelve PPP men hurt in clash with MQM in Shigar

GILGIT, Oct 23: At least 12 workers of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) were injured when activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) tried to stop them from wall-chalking in Shigar.

Police said the workers of both parties clashed after exchange of hot words. The injured were shifted to hospitals where they were being treated. Police have stated investigation.

Meanwhile, an eminent political leader of Gilgit-Baltistan has accused the government of using the Benazir Income Support Programme as a political kickback to rig the forthcoming elections in the region.

“The government is trying to rig the polls,” Nawaz Khan Naji said while talking to this scribe. He claimed that the PPP was using the income scheme as a bribe to get votes for the PPP-backed candidates.

Mr Naji, who is also contesting the elections, said that the politically aware people of Ghizer district would reject the ‘anti-democracy’ elements in the area and would support the ‘real’ leadership. He alleged “pre-poll rigging is being planned in different parts of the region by the government backed candidates”.

TREMORS FELT: A strong earthquake of 6.4 magnitude on the Richter scale jolted Gilgit-Baltistan on Friday.

The epicentre of the earthquake was reported 180 kilometres deep in the Hindukush range while its radius was about 600 kilometres.

Tremors were felt in Ghizer, Astore, Skardu, Diamer and other parts of the mountainous region. However, no causality or loss of property was reported. Courtesy Dawn